Crucible contenders: Eight players who are in the frame for the world title

Stephen Hendry

Age 26. Ranking 1.

ATTEMPTING to win the title for the fifth time, Hendry has lost only once at the Crucible in the Nineties, 13-11 to Steve James in the quarter- final in 1991. He has had an ordinary season by his own immaculate standards, but he tends to lack concentration on bread-and-butter occasions. On his day - usually the one that matters - he is uncontainable. The final of the UK Championship last November was such a day. Hendry's performance when beating Ken Doherty elevated snooker to virtual perfection. On and off the table a great champion, a worthy favourite to win again this time. An even money shot to retain his title.

Steve Davis

Age 37 Ranking 2

DAVIS is undoubtedly past his best but, with six World Championships, he is one of the great professional sportsmen of our time. Davis personifies the qualities - concentration, emotional and mental toughness - required to master this sport. A chess buff away from the table, Davis is, in contrast to his caricature, an interesting, intelligent man. When Hendry turned pro, his manager Ian Doyle invited Davis to play the young prodigy in a series of exhibition matches in Scotland. Davis slaughtered Hendry. But lessons were learnt. Davis's long potting is now shaky; guile and psychological strength can only take you so far.

Jimmy White

Age 32 Ranking 8

MORE a cause than a player, Jimmy has never won the World Championship. He has contested every final in the Nineties, losing three to Hendry and to John Parrott in 1991. A night owl with exotic tastes, Jimmy is a creature of the old snooker halls. Now a couple of weeks away from his 33rd birthday, he has not won a ranking tournament since the 1992 UK Championship and few now believe that he can win at the Crucible. Still, in two of the last three finals, he has had Hendry at his mercy. The two are drawn to meet in the semi-final this time. As usual Jimmy will have the world on his side, himself to beat.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Age 19 Ranking 3

THIS teenager from Chigwell may be the new Jimmy White, the gifted, street- wise kid, possessing the talent but not the discipline to be the champion. O'Sullivan still displays a childish arrogance when facing opponents he believes should not be at the same table as him, but he has displayed strength of character by overcoming a troubled personal background to become the youngest ever winner of a ranking tournament. The prospect of watching this fantastically gifted young man challenge for the Championship is not the least of the treats in store for us this coming fortnight. O'Sullivan could even win.

John Higgins

Age 19 Ranking 11

HIGGINS has been cast as the new Steve Davis. A well-earned compliment. The teenager from Wishaw has emerged from obscurity this season, winning three ranking events. Sound in every element of the game, Higgins is particularly adept at battling when not scoring fluently. Like Davis, he seems to be in control of his emotions, being prepared to do whatever it takes to win each frame. At its most compelling, snooker is not a potting competition but is rather a complete examination of mind and spirit. With a tough mind and a sturdy spirit to go with his technique,Higgins may be a better bet for future glory than O'Sullivan.

Alan McManus

Age 24 Ranking 6

DESPITE winning the Dublin Classic, McManus has had a bad year. The Glaswegian is a formidable match player at his best, but has sadly lost all confidence in recent times and is now a shadow of the player who was once provisionally ranked number two in the world. At odds of 25-1, it would cause a major surprise if he won the tournament, particularly as he has to overcome John Higgins in the first round. McManus is one of only three players who have reached the top 16 on the world ranking list in the space of two seasons. At the end of his first season as a pro, he was ranked 41 and within a year was up to 13.

Peter Ebdon

Age 24 Ranking 10

EBDON is on record saying that he can "take" Hendry. Renowned for coming from behind, he has done so magnificently to beat the champion in their last two contests. Should he survive a second-round clash with Mark Davis, Ebdon may make it to the final, where Hendry will likely await him. A loner, the former world junior champion aspires to Alex Higgins's sobriquet - "The People's Champion". He has taken to emotional displays after, and sometimes during, matches, punching the air. Purists believe this sullies the traditionally reverent ambience of the arena. He is an interesting character, despite the histrionics.

John Parrott

Age 30 Ranking 5

A FORMER champion, he is the only player apart from Hendry to win the world and UK titles in the same season. He is naturally an attacking player, and the Scouser has the ability but not, alas, the temperament to tough it out with the more resilient characters who are around today. Parrott has won seven ranking events in a career notable for inconsistency. Abroad, he thrives, having won tournaments in France, Belgium, Thailand, Malta and Dubai. A big threat lurking in Hendry's half of the draw, Parrott is capable of beating anyone. A keen punter, he will delight in defying the odds of 14-1 against him.